During the workshop, Mr Rowlands and two fellow farmers would give their perspective on the key ingredients to operate a farm at $3kg of milk solids and how they have set up their systems to run at a consistently low farm working expenses level.
"Some of it is gut feeling. Knowing your farm and cows, and making your own decisions," he said.
Mr Rowlands winters 270 cows on 83 hectares and buys in 24-36 tonne of palm kernel extract each season.
A 13ha support block was used to graze young stock. His Jersey herd averages a 6-8 per cent empty rate, through attention to the basics of tail painting and heat identification.
Last season 16.5 tonne DM/hectare of pasture was eaten higher than the Whakatane average of 13.8 tonne DM/hectare.
"We make the most of our grass. We put on no more than 120 units of nitrogen a year and some whey from the dairy company. We put lime on every year and sulphur too. It just works for us. The pastures are older pastures but they're still good."
The farm also does once-a-day milking every Christmas, something that contributes to good cow condition and health, he said.
DairyNZ senior consulting officer Wilma Foster hoped the workshop would inspire farmers to find cost-saving opportunities in their own businesses.
"Farmers who are low-cost tend to spend money on things that will make them money. They manage costs really well and don't tend to change their system."
Farmers did the fundamentals of farming well - pasture management, cow health and feed budgeting tend to be key focus areas, she said.
The Forum workshop would feature a question-and-answer session with the three farmers.